Sigma‐Phase Distribution in 2507 Super Duplex Stainless Steel Continuous Casting Slabs

The sigma‐phase distribution in a 2507 super duplex stainless steel continuous casting slab is analyzed using microstructural analyses and thermodynamic calculations. The sigma phase contains high Cr and Mo contents, and precipitates along the phase boundary between austenite and ferrite and grows toward the interior of the ferrite phase in the continuously cast slab. The sigma‐phase fraction at the center of the width direction is higher than that in the one fourth width. Furthermore, the sigma‐phase fraction at the center of the thickness direction is higher than those at the upper and lower surfaces, which is due to the lower cooling rate at the center. The Brinell hardness (HB) at the center increases to 313 HB with an increasing sigma‐phase fraction. The sigma‐phase fraction at the one fourth thickness near the lower surface is higher than that at the one fourth thickness near the upper surface at the same cooling rate. Additionally, Mo and Ni are severely segregated in this zone. A higher Mo content influences the precipitation and stabilization of the sigma phase. Furthermore, Scheil–Gulliver calculations indicate that compositional segregation results in an increase in the sigma‐phase precipitation temperature range. Herein, half of the casting slab with a size of 770 mm (half width) ×220 mm (thickness) is investigated. Additionally, 15 samples with size of 10 × 10 × 10 mm are cut for sigma phase analysis. The results show that sigma phase consists of high Cr and Mo content. The sigma phase precipitates along the phase boundary between austenite and ferrite.